How to Design a Raspberry Bed

Choose an area in full sun. Avoid planting in areas shaded by trees or other plants. Keep in mind that raspberries are tall, so avoid planting them where they will shade out sun-loving garden plants.

Clear the bed of all weeds, rocks and other debris. Loosen the soil to a depth of 12 inches with a power tiller, removing any large weed or plant roots that the tilling turns up.

Perform a soil pH test six month to one year before planting. Raspberries require a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Apply and till in lime at the rate recommended by the test if the pH is below 5.5 and add sulfur at the recommended rate if the pH is above 6.5.

Apply 2 cubic yards of mature compost to every 100 square feet of planting bed and till it in. If you prefer, use aged green manure instead. Apply the organic matter the autumn before planting the raspberries.

Plant raspberries in spring once the soil has thawed and drained enough to work. Space plants 2 feet apart. If you choose double rows, space the rows 8 feet apart. This both allows access between the plants for harvesting and gives them the necessary room to grow.

Remove raspberry canes that grow between the rows or outside of the narrow row of plants, but allow the new canes that grow between each plant to remain. Wider rows are too shaded and allow disease to thrive, so it's preferable to keep the row narrow.